Oh So Good Spinach Salad

 

Welcome to the Kickin’ It Clean, Healthy and Hot Blog Series to celebrate the NEW Fall Renewal Detox.

So far we discussed the main tools you need in your clean kitchen and pantry makeover .  Did you get a chance to check out the posts and download your handy guides yet? Make sure to grab the goodies!

 

Let’s make a detox dish, shall we?

But first I need to chat with you about something.

Warning:  This post is just my opinion based on my experiences.   I’m not discussing food policy which is something I will save for another post.  Unfortunately in the US, fast food  is cheaper than a bag of apples which really makes me very upset, but I’m focusing on making healthy choices if you are in a position to do so.  There are ways to get healthy food into your body so explore some of these. 🙂

A  pet peeve of mine  is someone telling me, “It’s too expensive to eat healthy.”  

I get so pissed off when I hear this because, yeah, if you go to Whole Foods and buy a lot of packaged goods, the pretty sunflowers calling your name when you walk in the door,

WF walk in

 shampoo and toothpaste, and a brand new shirt (Um, that’s me, have to confess! But isn’t it tre’ chic?),

Whole Foods shirt (2)

then you’ll walk out with a $200+ bill.

 

Also, I know a lot of people who go to natural food stores and get potato chips and ice cream because it is “healthier.”It’s from Whole Foods, right? Nope, nope. It’s still junk  no matter where you get it.  And that packaged, processed food costs a lot more! 

If you eat healthy now, you’ll save tons of money, thousands, in the long run. You won’t need to spend money on meds and doctor bills because you will be feelin’ and lookin’ good.

You can eat healthy on a budget.  Totally, and I’ll show you how.

Since I take a lot of clients shopping and know Whole Foods like the back of my hand, there are a few tricks to keeping things cheap:

  • Bulk Section! Need I say more? If you are looking for high quality, raw (no processing and highly recommended) nuts, seeds, beans, and grains, even dried fruit, head straight to the bulk aisle.  You will save tons of money getting just the right amount you need instead of buying a big bag of something you might not finish off.
  • Go for organic produce and check Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 Guide to save money.  The Environmental Working Group puts out an updated guide each year, rating the pesticide laden produce.  So if you are buying apples, you NEED to buy organic because they are rated #1 in pesticide residue, but avocado, no worries. It’s on the Clean 15 list.  That way you can save cash and stick to a budget.

This is extremely important for your detox.  As you rid your body of toxins, there is no use or benefit to adding them back in.

  • Buy good quality staples  like extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, spices...you’ll have these for a long time.  I had my bottle of Bragg’s apple cider vinegar for almost 7 months.  You can use these ingredients to jazz up any meal you make and save money while you are at it because you aren’t replenishing often.
  • Ease up on the meat.  Animal protein costs a lot of money especially if you are conscious and buy organic, grass-fed,etc…  If you are paleo or still want to add in the animal protein, go for only 2-3 times a week as meat is acidic and can cause lots of inflammation.
  • Stick to real food. Yes, here I go again. But if you stay away from a bunch of boxes, bags and food your great great grandma wouldn’t recognize (Pirate’s Booty???), you’ll be safe.  Those packaged foods cost a lot more at a natural food store so stick to produce and bulk items.

Here’s  how to make an easy lunch that won’t break the bank. It’s also a sneak peek into Fall Renewal 10 Day Detox. Giddy up!

I had most of the ingredients on hand so this meal only cost $3.76.

Cranberries from bulk section (16 oz.):  $1.54 (Please, please don’t buy Craisins by Ocean Spray; tons of added sugar)

Pear:  $.83

Spinach (in carton, local farmer):  $1.39

I already had a bag of pecans in the pantry, but they typically cost  $5.69 for 12 oz.

It made 2 servings so I ate a plate for lunch today and will make a salad jar for tomorrow. So really one meal cost, $1.88.

*Since you were a good student and cleaned out your pantry last week, I predict you already have the staples (olive oil, spices, onion…).

*You can throw in some beans; a can of beans can be found under $1.

*It took me literally about 10 minutes to whip up this meal.  I also listened to the MC Yogi station on Pandora to keep things light and  happy.  Something about zen and hip hop (is that an oxymoron?)…

 

Oh So Good Spinach Salad

Ingredients:

Oh So good spinach salad Ingredients1

Salad:

1 bunch spinach (1 cup)

1 pear, cored, quartered and sliced

1/4 cup dried cranberries

 

Vinaigrette:

 

1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp. minced onion

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

 

Spiced Pecans:

 

1/2 cup pecans

1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

1/4 tsp. sea salt

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

 

Directions:

 

Pecans: Preheat oven to 350° F. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, and toss until well coated. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake for 10 minutes, or until toasted, stirring occasionally. Let cool.

 

Oh So good spinach salad Pecans

Vinaigrette: Whisk together all ingredients and season with salt and pepper.

 

Salad: Place spinach, pear, and cranberries in a bowl. Add vinaigrette and toss. Transfer to serving bowl and top with pecans. Serve.

Serves 1-2

Oh So good spinach salad final

And well, almost gone! I really, really, really devoured it!  The cayenne pepper gave it a little kick and the cranberries a little sweetness.

Oh So good spinach salad 015

I’m always looking for more saving money ideas…got one? List yours below in the comments  so I can steal it, please. 🙂

 

Fall Renewal 10 Day Detox starts Oct. 7th! Read more: Fall Renewal

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4 Comments on “Oh So Good Spinach Salad”

  1. That recipe sounds oh so great Lisa. I love your cost saving tips- I’ve been detoxing from whole foods lately because I felt like I was spending way too much there but you are completely right. If I steer my cart toward only the things that I should be buying, it would be a completely different story. My tip is to buy certain things online through Amazon’s subscribe and save program (soap, detergent, organic milk boxes for the kids lunches, coconut oil, toilet paper…); it is cheaper and than I can really stay to the outside aisles of the store when shopping. And they deliver to your door. Happiness all around…

    1. Katie, darling, the recipe is so delish…really, I ate it again today. The pecans make it for realz. I think the Amazon subscribe is a great idea to save cash. Thanks for sharing this! And the delivery is sweeeet. Now that is total happiness. xoxo

  2. Lunch today for two was put in a blender and consisted of 2 cups of Almond milk, kale (chopped), dandelion leaves (chopped), one stick celery (chopped), an apple (sliced into chunks), 2 figs (sliced), leftover quinoa, 2 TBsps hempseed, 1 tsp Spirulina, one TBsp of Juice Plus Complete – chocolate. My husband and I enjoy lunches like this. Since it is all blended, it is much easier to digest.

    1. Whoa, that is one power-packed vegan-licious meal! Lots of protein and you are so right on… I love to drink my meals, especially if I’m running low on time. Keep on being such a wellness rockstar, Betty! I just adore you and Pam! xo

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